Thursday, September 12, 2013

I Believe In The 2nd Amendment. So Does Colorado and Illinois

Second Amendment Rights Prevail in Colorado

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Suffers Resounding Defeat

–
A historic grassroots effort by voters in Colorado’s Senate Districts
11 and 3 has resulted in the recall of Colorado Senate President John
Morse (D) and Senator Angela Giron (D). The people of Colorado Springs
and Pueblo sent a clear message to their elected officials that their
primary job is to defend our rights and freedoms and that they are
accountable to their constituents – not the dollars or social
engineering agendas of anti-gun billionai

Recall
proceedings began earlier this year after Sens. Morse and Giron voted
for anti-gun legislation that restricted the ability of law-abiding
residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights, including their
inherent right to self-defense. This effort was driven by concerned
citizens, who made phone calls, knocked on doors, and worked diligently
to turn voters out in this historic effort.

The
National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to
have stood with the men and women in these legislative districts who
sent a clear message that their Second Amendment rights are not for sale
in Colorado. We look forward to working with NRA-PVF “A” rated and
endorsed Bernie Herpin (R) from Colorado Springs and NRA-PVF “AQ” rated
and endorsed George Rivera (R) from Pueblo in the Colorado State Senate.

In an unusually forceful and straightforward opinion in the case of People v. Aguilar,
the Supreme Court of Illinois unanimously held that the state's
"comprehensive ban" on the "use of an operable firearm for self-defense
outside the home" is invalid on its face under the Second Amendment.
The NRA had participated in the case with an amicus brief.

The court surveyed the Supreme Court's recent Second Amendment
decisions, as well as state and federal precedents from courts in
Illinois. Regarding the significance of the Supreme Court's opinions,
it declared: "neither Heller nor McDonald expressly limits
the second amendment's protections to the home. On the contrary, both
decisions contain language strongly suggesting if not outright
confirming that the second amendment right to keep and bear arms extends
beyond the home." It also characterized the Illinois law as "a
wholesale statutory ban on the exercise of a personal right that is
specifically named in and guaranteed by the United States
Constitution…." According to the court, "In no other context would we
permit this, and we will not permit it here either."

While the
court noted that "we are in no way saying that such a right is unlimited
or is not subject to meaningful regulation," it did not condition its
holding on any further action by the legislature. It noted Illinois'
recently-enacted Firearm Concealed Carry Act only in passing, stating
that it was not "at issue in this case."

Invoking precedents
from two federal appellate courts, the Illinois Supreme Court also held
that the state's general ban on the possession of concealable firearms
by minors does not run afoul of the Second Amendment. Notably, one of
the cases upon which the court relied for this portion of the opinion
was National Rifle Ass'n of America, Inc. v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms [&] Explosives,
which upheld a federal prohibition on the sale of handguns by federally
licensed dealers to adults aged 18 to 20. The NRA has recently filed a
brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision.
Twenty-two state attorneys general also filed a brief in support of
NRA's efforts in that case.

While residents of Illinois eagerly
await implementation of the state's new concealed carry licensing
process, they can rest assured that under controlling precedent in both
state and federal courts, their right to bear arms in self-defense is
not a "privilege" bestowed upon them by the legislature but a
fundamental right the state and its localities are bound to respect.

Established
in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil
rights and sportsmen's group.

More than four million members strong, NRA
continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of
existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime.

The Association
remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for
law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.

About Me

I am a thoroughly civilized, humane, cosmopolitan, polished, restrained, enjoyable, entertaining Info-maniac. I am a staunch exponent of individual dignity, freedom, equal access to legal services, and equal protection of the law. Here I hope to demonstrate my emotional restraint, humbleness of sentiment, psychological subtlety, lucid style, and simple language, without evading political reality or eternal truth. Daily I am excited that I have the right to create the beginning of a new self and to challenge old habits and attitudes I no longer choose to accept. I choose to relax in the present with my direction firmly in mind. I have an enormous capacity for creative and clever ideas and thoughts. It is phenomenal what I can do. I am capable of so much learning and absorbing a lot of information. My potential is a source of pleasant surprise for me.
Each day, I increase in knowledge, skills, strength, faith, and abilities.With each adventure, the boundary hemming in my potential expands easily to accomodate my growth and achievements.